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US5178446A - Centralized lighting system for a vehicle having a central light source automatically exchangable in the event of failure - Google Patents

Centralized lighting system for a vehicle having a central light source automatically exchangable in the event of failure Download PDF

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Publication number
US5178446A
US5178446A US07/791,982 US79198291A US5178446A US 5178446 A US5178446 A US 5178446A US 79198291 A US79198291 A US 79198291A US 5178446 A US5178446 A US 5178446A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
light source
light
operating position
control unit
supporting member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
US07/791,982
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Peter Gruber
Werner-Karl Marquardt
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Robert Bosch GmbH
Original Assignee
Robert Bosch GmbH
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Robert Bosch GmbH filed Critical Robert Bosch GmbH
Assigned to ROBERT BOSCH GMBH reassignment ROBERT BOSCH GMBH ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: GRUBER, PETER, MARQUARDT, WERNER-KARL
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US5178446A publication Critical patent/US5178446A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
    • B60Q1/0011—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor with light guides for distributing the light between several lighting or signalling devices
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V19/00—Fastening of light sources or lamp holders
    • F21V19/04—Fastening of light sources or lamp holders with provision for changing light source, e.g. turret
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0005—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being of the fibre type
    • G02B6/0006—Coupling light into the fibre
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10S362/00—Illumination
    • Y10S362/802—Position or condition responsive switch

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a lighting device or system for a vehicle and, more particularly, to a lighting device with a single central light source and a plurality of light outlets.
  • a lighting device for a vehicle especially for a motor vehicle, comprising at least one light source, from which at least one light guide extends, from which the light produced by the light source issues and is conducted to light outlets in the vehicle.
  • This kind of lighting device is known from European Patent Application EP-A2-0 376 032.
  • This lighting device has a central reflector and a light source.
  • the light source has a jacket, which is provided with a reflective coating and serves simultaneously as reflector.
  • Several light conducting members are located in the circumference of the reflector so the reflector is permeable to light in these regions.
  • Light guides which lead to different vehicle light units and which conduct light from the light source to the vehicle light units, are connected to the light conducting members. Only one light source is provided in the central reflector of the lighting device, so that, when this single light source fails, the vehicle light units are no longer provided with light and thus a dangerous traffic situation could arise.
  • a lighting device for a vehicle comprising at least one light source operable to produce light and at least one light guide extending from the at least one light source, the light from the light source entering the light guide and being conducted to at least one light outlet, preferably in a vehicle light unit.
  • a shifting means and a plurality of the light sources are provided.
  • One of the light sources is located in an operating position and the light sources are movable by the shifting means, so that, on failure of the light source in the operating position, the light source in the operating position is moved out of the operating position and another light source is moved into the operating position.
  • the lighting device has been made fail-safe, since when the light source in the operating position fails, it is replaced by one of the other light sources.
  • the light sources can be easily and quickly shifted so that a light source in an operating position is replaced by one of the other light sources.
  • the source of energy for moving the supporting member can be a precompressed spring.
  • the shifting means has a control unit and a sensor detecting the light issuing from the light source in the operating position, so that, on failure of the light source the shifting means for shifting the light sources, is activated by the control unit.
  • the shifting means can advantageously have a control unit and a sensor measuring a current received by the light source in the operating position on switching on the lighting device, so that the shifting means is activated to shift the light sources by the control unit, when the current received by the light source in the operating position, is less than that required for a correct operation of the light source in the operating position.
  • a signaling device can be provided announcing the failure of the light source at the operating position to the driver, so an exchange of the light sources can be made or so that subsequently several light sources can be used in series.
  • Contacting elements and electrical connecting lines are provided for the light source.
  • Means for electrically disconnecting the control unit from the contacting elements during the shifting of the light sources can be provided so that the dangers resulting from the high voltage required for operation of the gas discharge lamp can be avoided.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view through a lighting device according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a detailed cutaway partially cross-sectional view of a portion of the device shown in FIG. 2 in the dot-dashed circle II.
  • FIG. 1 one embodiment of a lighting device for a vehicle, especially a motor vehicle, according to the invention is shown.
  • the lighting device has a central reflector 10, in which a first light source 11 is located.
  • At least one light guide 12 extends from the reflector 10.
  • the light originating from the light source 11 and reflected from the reflector 10 arriving at the light guide 12 is conducted to various light outlets in the vehicle, for example vehicle light units 13, of which only one is shown.
  • vehicle light units we mean, for example, headlights, blinking signal lights, brake lights and instrument lights.
  • the ends projecting into the vehicle light units become sources of light in these units, so that the vehicle light units can be correspondingly easily assembled and constructed in a space-saving manner.
  • the reflector can be abandoned. Only the light issuing from the light source 11 directly to the light guides then reaches the light units 13.
  • the central reflector 10 is formed by a rotating ellipsoid with a first focal point F1 and a second focal point F2.
  • the first light source 11 is located in an operating position, in which its filament or light generating element 14 is located at least approximately at the first focal point F1 of the reflector 10.
  • the electrical connecting element 16 contacts the light source 11 on contacting element 17 located fixed in the reflector 10.
  • These contacting elements 17 are, for their part, connected by electrical conductors 18 with the power supply of the motor vehicle as current source.
  • One of the ends of the light guide 12 is located at the second focal point F2 of the reflector 10 with its front face directed toward the first focal point F1.
  • the light issuing from the light source is reflected from the reflector 10 to this second focal point F2 and issues there into the light guide 12, which conducts the light to the vehicle light unit 13.
  • the vehicle light unit 13 has, for example, a reflector 19 for collection and radiation of light issuing from the light guide.
  • the first light source 11 is held on a supporting member 21, on which a second light source 22 is also mounted. Both light sources 11, 22 could be constructed as a gas discharge lamp.
  • the contacting elements 17 are then connected with a circuit means 23 to provide the required high voltage for operation of the gas discharge lamp.
  • the supporting member 21 is thus guided, so that it is movable relative to the reflector 10, advantageously transversely to the principal axis of the reflector through suitable openings in the reflector wall.
  • the reflector 10 is located in a housing 24.
  • a displacement of the supporting member 21 is caused by a shifting means 26, which in this embodiment is supported on one side of the housing 24 and has a compressed spring 27 acting as energy source acting on supporting member 21.
  • the compressed spring 27 is under compression and the supporting member is held in place by a movable retaining element 28.
  • the retaining element 28 is movable into a second position shown with dashed lines in FIG. 1, in which the retaining element 28 releases the supporting member 21, from a first position, in which the supporting member 21 contacts the retaining element 28 and the first light 11 source is 11 fixed in its operating position.
  • the supporting member 21 After its release, the supporting member 21 is pushed by the compressed spring 27 until it comes into contact with a stop or second retaining element 31 mounted on the housing 24 in a position shown with dashed lines after a certain displacement.
  • the displacement is of such a size that the second light source 22 is located in its operating position when the supporting member 21 contacts the stop 31 and is connected with the contacting elements 17.
  • An activating means 29 for moving the retaining element 28 can, as shown in FIG. 2, be an electromagnetic device with a stationary magnetic coil 32 and a core portion 33 connected with the retaining element 28 made from magnetic material, for example soft iron.
  • the retaining element 28 is held by a spring 34 in its first position and during current flow through the magnetic coil is drawn against the force of spring 34 into its second position.
  • the retaining element 28 can be pulled back from its position holding the supporting member 21 fixed, so that the supporting member 21 is moved by the spring and the second light source 22 is operated.
  • a control unit 36 can be provided, which has a sensor 37, e.g. in the form of a photocell, which detects the light issuing from the light source 11 located in the operating position. On failure of the first light source 11 located in the operating position no light from that light source impinges on from the sensor 37, so that then the activating means 29 for the retaining element 28 is operated by a circuit provided in the control unit 36. An automatic detection of the failure of the first light source 11 and the activation of the second light source 22 is attained in this form of the lighting device. For safety reasons it is however significant to signal the driver of the vehicle of the failure of the first light source. As a signal device an indicator light can be provided in the armature, which is turned on by the control unit 36 like the activating means 29 for the retaining element 28.
  • control unit 36 has a sensor 38, which detects the current received from the light source 11 instead of the light issuing from the light source. If with the lighting device turned on it is established by the sensor 38 that there is no current flow or the current flow is too weak to operate the light source, then as described previously the control unit 36 operates the activating device 29 for the retaining element 28 by a suitable circuit.
  • control unit 36 can be formed so that the contacting elements 17 are separated from the power supply circuit and/or circuit means 23 on or prior to activation of the retaining element 28 for the duration of the displacement of the supporting member 21, so that separation of the electrical connection 16 of the first light source 11 from the contact elements 17 and/or making contact of the second light source 22 with the contacting elements 17 does not lead to spark formation or other dangerous events in connection with the high voltage required for operation of the gas discharge lamp.
  • the separation of the contacting elements 17 can be activated by the sensors 36 and 38.
  • a switch 39 is provided on the stop 31. The switch 39 is activated by supporting member 21 in its end position and after that the contacting elements 17 again are connected but with the second light source 22.
  • additional light sources can be positioned on the supporting member 21.
  • several retaining elements can also be provided. On failure of the first light source the supporting member is released by the first retaining element so that a second light source arrives at the focal point. However then the second light source is also provided wit ha second retaining element, which can be activated so that a third light source replaces the second light source if it fails, and so on.
  • the supporting member carrying the light sources can also be mounted rotatable in the reflector in variation from the previously described embodiments. Then the energy source for the motion of the supporting member can be a spiral spring.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
  • Non-Portable Lighting Devices Or Systems Thereof (AREA)
  • Optical Elements Other Than Lenses (AREA)
  • Circuit Arrangement For Electric Light Sources In General (AREA)
  • Light Guides In General And Applications Therefor (AREA)
US07/791,982 1990-12-01 1991-11-14 Centralized lighting system for a vehicle having a central light source automatically exchangable in the event of failure Expired - Fee Related US5178446A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE4038433 1990-12-01
DE4038433A DE4038433A1 (de) 1990-12-01 1990-12-01 Beleuchtungseinrichtung fuer fahrzeuge

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US5178446A true US5178446A (en) 1993-01-12

Family

ID=6419426

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US07/791,982 Expired - Fee Related US5178446A (en) 1990-12-01 1991-11-14 Centralized lighting system for a vehicle having a central light source automatically exchangable in the event of failure

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US5178446A (fr)
JP (1) JPH04266540A (fr)
DE (1) DE4038433A1 (fr)
FR (1) FR2669991B1 (fr)

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5283718A (en) * 1991-08-30 1994-02-01 Progressive Dynamics, Inc. Fiber optic arc lamp system
US5408394A (en) * 1988-05-09 1995-04-18 Man-D-Tec, Inc. Down lighting systems and fixtures thereof
US5560699A (en) * 1993-09-02 1996-10-01 General Electric Company Optical coupling arrangement between a lamp and a light guide
GB2306633A (en) * 1995-10-18 1997-05-07 Carlo Paselli Lighting system
US5826963A (en) * 1996-02-27 1998-10-27 General Electric Company Low angle, dual port light coupling arrangement
US5980053A (en) * 1997-03-20 1999-11-09 Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung Illuminating arrangement
US6168302B1 (en) * 1997-12-09 2001-01-02 Cooper Automotive Products, Inc. Hybrid distributed lighting system for a vehicle
US6494899B1 (en) * 1999-01-22 2002-12-17 Respironics, Inc. Phototherapy system and method
US20100020538A1 (en) * 2006-09-15 2010-01-28 Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut Fuer Polar- Und Meeresforschung Reflector emitter
CN102798081A (zh) * 2011-05-25 2012-11-28 马瑞利汽车电子(广州)有限公司 间接照明方法和装置及采用该方法及装置的汽车内饰件
US9500343B2 (en) 2011-07-25 2016-11-22 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Light source device, lighting device, vehicular headlight, and vehicle

Families Citing this family (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE4341234C2 (de) * 1993-12-03 2002-09-12 Bosch Gmbh Robert Beleuchtungseinrichtung für Fahrzeuge
US5755505A (en) * 1996-01-19 1998-05-26 Denso Corporation Light source assembly and bulb unit therefor
FR2746900B1 (fr) * 1996-03-27 1998-06-19 Valeo Vision Projecteur a barreau optique pour vehicule automobile
ES2166730B1 (es) * 2000-09-04 2003-11-16 Rojas Juan Gabriel Huguet Dispositivo de seguridad en luminarias.
DE10060491A1 (de) * 2000-12-06 2002-06-13 Hella Kg Hueck & Co Fahrzeugscheinwerfer
JP2006092930A (ja) * 2004-09-24 2006-04-06 Murakami Corp 照明装置およびこの照明装置を備えたアウターミラー
JP4618232B2 (ja) * 2006-11-07 2011-01-26 市光工業株式会社 ライン状照明装置
WO2011029961A1 (fr) * 2009-09-08 2011-03-17 Gonzalez Santana Moises Dispositif de changement de lampes automatique, c.l.a.
DE102010005093A1 (de) * 2010-01-14 2011-07-21 Carl Zeiss Surgical GmbH, 73447 Beleuchtungsvorrichtung mit wengistens zwei Lichtquellen und einem Lichtleiter
JP2012043698A (ja) * 2010-08-20 2012-03-01 Sharp Corp 発光装置および照明装置

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US31987A (en) * 1861-04-09 Machinist s instrument foe determining geometrical lines
US4410929A (en) * 1982-09-02 1983-10-18 Designs For Vision, Inc. Linear motion switch assembly particularly adapted for use with fiber optic light sources
US4757426A (en) * 1986-11-06 1988-07-12 Storz Instrument Company Illumination system for fiber optic lighting instruments
US4855875A (en) * 1987-05-11 1989-08-08 Tokyo Kogaku Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha Light source device for medical apparatus
EP0367032A2 (fr) * 1988-11-02 1990-05-09 General Electric Company Dispositif d'éclairage centralisé utilisant une source lumineuse à haute luminosité
US4930049A (en) * 1988-12-27 1990-05-29 General Electric Company Optical multiplexed electrical distribution system particularly suited for vehicles

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2170552A (en) * 1938-03-09 1939-08-22 Porter Charles W De Attachment for automobiles
FR1440369A (fr) * 1965-07-05 1966-05-27 Dispositif pour changer des lampes
US4402038A (en) * 1983-01-03 1983-08-30 General Signal Corp. Automatic lamp bulb changer for signal lamps
US4811172A (en) * 1987-11-23 1989-03-07 General Electric Company Lighting systems employing optical fibers
DE3813035C2 (de) * 1988-04-19 1995-03-23 Leica Industrieverwaltung Automatische Lampenwechselvorrichtung für Projektoren

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US31987A (en) * 1861-04-09 Machinist s instrument foe determining geometrical lines
US4410929A (en) * 1982-09-02 1983-10-18 Designs For Vision, Inc. Linear motion switch assembly particularly adapted for use with fiber optic light sources
US4757426A (en) * 1986-11-06 1988-07-12 Storz Instrument Company Illumination system for fiber optic lighting instruments
US4855875A (en) * 1987-05-11 1989-08-08 Tokyo Kogaku Kikai Kabushiki Kaisha Light source device for medical apparatus
EP0367032A2 (fr) * 1988-11-02 1990-05-09 General Electric Company Dispositif d'éclairage centralisé utilisant une source lumineuse à haute luminosité
US4930049A (en) * 1988-12-27 1990-05-29 General Electric Company Optical multiplexed electrical distribution system particularly suited for vehicles

Cited By (15)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5408394A (en) * 1988-05-09 1995-04-18 Man-D-Tec, Inc. Down lighting systems and fixtures thereof
US5283718A (en) * 1991-08-30 1994-02-01 Progressive Dynamics, Inc. Fiber optic arc lamp system
US5560699A (en) * 1993-09-02 1996-10-01 General Electric Company Optical coupling arrangement between a lamp and a light guide
GB2306633A (en) * 1995-10-18 1997-05-07 Carlo Paselli Lighting system
US5826963A (en) * 1996-02-27 1998-10-27 General Electric Company Low angle, dual port light coupling arrangement
US5927849A (en) * 1996-02-27 1999-07-27 General Electric Company Low angle, dual port light coupling arrangement
US5980053A (en) * 1997-03-20 1999-11-09 Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung Illuminating arrangement
DE19711599B4 (de) * 1997-03-20 2009-06-04 Carl Zeiss Surgical Gmbh Beleuchtungseinrichtung
US6168302B1 (en) * 1997-12-09 2001-01-02 Cooper Automotive Products, Inc. Hybrid distributed lighting system for a vehicle
US6260991B1 (en) * 1997-12-09 2001-07-17 Cooper Automotive Products, Inc. Compact illuminator for distributed lighting system
US6494899B1 (en) * 1999-01-22 2002-12-17 Respironics, Inc. Phototherapy system and method
US20100020538A1 (en) * 2006-09-15 2010-01-28 Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut Fuer Polar- Und Meeresforschung Reflector emitter
US8083379B2 (en) 2006-09-15 2011-12-27 Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut Fuer Polar- Und Meeresforschung Reflector emitter
CN102798081A (zh) * 2011-05-25 2012-11-28 马瑞利汽车电子(广州)有限公司 间接照明方法和装置及采用该方法及装置的汽车内饰件
US9500343B2 (en) 2011-07-25 2016-11-22 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Light source device, lighting device, vehicular headlight, and vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2669991B1 (fr) 1997-09-05
JPH04266540A (ja) 1992-09-22
FR2669991A1 (fr) 1992-06-05
DE4038433A1 (de) 1992-06-04

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